SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH...
A series of articles on Beit HaMikdash-related topics by Catriel Sugarman intended to increase the knowledge, interest, and anticipation of the reader, thereby hastening the realization of our hopes and prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash.

Yom Kippur is Here - a Story
The Sanhedrin had declared the Kohein Gadol physically incapable to performing the Avoda of Yom Kippur and the Segan was to serve in his place. The Segan's head was spinning. He had so much on his mind these days! How can I think of the Avoda? He was the man ultimately responsibility for preparing the Mikdash for Yom Kippur and Sukkot. There was good reason for his head to spin! This year he'd been saddled with responsibilities far beyond those noted under "Segan, job description" in the "Mikdash Manual - 3rd Edition, Revised". He realized that many of his problems had their origin in what he could only call the malfunctioning of a particularly important sub-committee made up of "experts" who had consistently grossly under-estimated the number of expected Olei Regel and their needs. Blaming himself for uncritically accepting the sub-committee's faulty prognostications for so long, he followed Meir Hakohein's sage advice and fired the lot of them. Vague rumblings by the Va'ad Ovdim were firmly squelched when the gimlet- eyed angry Segan threatened to go public. "If you make trouble, I will not hesitate to post your names, addresses and phone numbers all over Jerusalem. Am Yisrael will judge you!" Babbling apologies, they scampered out of his office. Watching them go, the Seganfor the first time felt optimistic and he surveyed the emerging situation with a certain satisfaction. Despite the slow start, the Herculean efforts by his (newly appointed) planners, logisticians and his over-worked staff were bearing fruit.

The Segan looked up from his desk as Meir Hakohein popped in. "Great news!" At the request of the Segan, Meir had put together a task force to inspect the adequacy of the "purification centers" which had been set up to service the thousands of Olei Regel who were already pouring into the city. While many of the Olei Regel would purify themselves at home to avoid spending extra time in Jerusalem, most did not. Hundreds of thousands of Olei Regel had to be purified with Mei Nida - spring water mixed with the ashes of the Para Aduma - on the third and seventh day of their arrival in Jerusalem. Housed in spacious halls strategically located throughout Jerusalem, more and more of these centers were activated as Yom Kippur and Sukkot approached. Meir had found that each purification center had its requisite Mei Nida stored in stone vats, piles of sealed plastic bags containing three stems of hyssop required for the purification process, and capable staff. No purification problems this year! Meir was also able to report that the last of the countless temporary holding pens constructed south of Jerusalem for the hundreds of thousands of sacrificial animals needed for the Olei Regel were complete. The animals would be channeled into the city markets as needed. Huge aluminum prefab hangers bulging with fodder and crisscrossed by newly laid water pipes were already in place. The special trains transporting the sacrificial animals to the holding pens were already running.

The Segan breathed a sigh of relief. Boruch Hashem! There were even extra trains filled with palm branches for S'chach and Mehudar Etrogim on the way in addition to the huge amount in cold storage. Istrack of Jerusalem had assured him that they could handle all trains, both passenger and freight. The newly expanded ultra-modern Atarot Inter- national Airport was now prepared for the expected influx of people. Port workers, stevedores, loaders and moving men from all over Eretz Yisrael and their equipment were being trucked into Jerusalem. In fact, it even seemed that the "insoluble" problem of finding places to stay for all the Olei Regel during the Chag was solved. Happily, the number of Yerushalmi families offering home hospitality suddenly spiked. The ancient tradition of Yerushalmim of extending home hospitality to the Olei Regel was being exploited in full. The "Mikdash Home Hospitality Committee" matched up the ever-increasing Olei Regel with an unprecedented number of families eager to host them. It would be tight but every Oleh Regel would have a roof over his head. And the Roshei Mishmarot had come through! Kohanim from all over Eretz Yisrael were streaming into Jerusalem. And even the usually dour Pinchas HaMalbish had a fleeting smile on his face as he contemplated his warehouse filled with newly woven Bigdei Kehuna. For the first time, the Segan faced the Chagim with confidence until he heard a faint whisper in his ear, "The Avoda."

It was Meir Hakohein. "Have you forgotten? Yom Kippur is a week away. In one week from today, you will be entering the Kodesh HaKodashim!" The Segan blanched. "We're ready for Sukkot!" Meir continued, "In the last few weeks, you performed miracles, but now you have to prepare for the Avoda!" Sitting in Meir's topsy-turvy office, both Kohanim gazed at a copy of "Order of the Avoda of Yom Kippur." Meir began. "All Avodot are kosher only if they are performed by the Kohein Gadol or his replacement. You'll stay up all night so there will be no problems of impurity. You begin work at midnight by removing the ashes from the Mizbei'ach and organize the new firewood. At the crack of dawn, you'll immerse in the Kohein Gadol's private Mikveh above Sha'ar HaMayim and you'll put on the Bigdei Zahav - the eight vestments of the Kohein Gadol."

Looking at his old friend Meir smiled and said, "That's when it'll hit you, you wash hands and feet with water from the Kiyor and then slaughter the Tamid Shel Boker - Have you been practicing Shechita?" The Segan nodded. Everyday, Naftali from Avoda 101 had dragged him out of his office. He had resented the time loss then but now he was thankful. Naftali had assured the appreciative Segan that he would be at his side during every act of Shechita. Meir continued, "All the sacrifices that you slaughter, you must both receive and toss the blood on the Mizbei'ach. You must prepare the lamps of the Menorah, and offer the morning Ketoret. You must offer the Netachim, Nesachim and the Chavitin on the Mizbei'ach. Then you slaughter the Mussafin, a bullock, a ram, and seven lambs. Then you wash your hands and feet, remove the Bigdei Zahav and change into the Bigdei Lavan, the white garments that symbolize purity. After washing your hands and feet again, you confess your and your wife's sins over your bullock. You did buy one?" "Yes, Naftali went with me last week." As Meir continued, suddenly the Segan realized anew his great responsibility and began to tremble. Purity! "Ha'avoda! As my ancestor Aaron before me, I am the man who will enter the Kodesh HaKodashim to seek forgiveness before the Kadosh Boruch Hu for the sins of all Am Yisrael!" He recalled what the venerable patriarch of Beit Avtinas had told him. "When the pillar of smoke ascends from the burning Ketoret, the Kohein sees the mystical letters of the Shem HaMeforash ascending on high in that pillar. Then numerous holy legions surround the pillar on all sides until it rises in the midst of light and gladness to the region where it diffuses joy as it knits together the upper world and lower world in a complete unity…."

In his heart, the Segan prayed, "Dear G-d, may I be worthy of connecting Am Yisrael with their Father in Heaven! Kein Yehi Ratzon!" <to be continued>

Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service